Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wednesday--November 30, 2011

UMass players are staying together and waiting for their new coach.

Tyler Holmes, Julian Talley and Jesse Julmiste were named to the New England Football Writers All-Star team.

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Michigan is considering a night game during the 2012 season, but it doesn't look as if it will be UMass.

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The press is plugging next year's OOC opponent head coach James Franklin of Vanderbilt as SEC Coach-of-the-year. Vandy, BTW, may be in the Liberty Bowl this year.

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Meanwhile, Indiana another 2012 UMass OOC, had a really rough year. The Hoosiers' only win came over FCS South Carolina State.

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Jim Tressel is not interested in the University of Akron job.

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Maine's Jack Cosgrove was named the New England Football Writers Coach-of-the-Year.

The Black Bears are on the road to Appalachian State this Saturday.

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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Recruiting 2012--Joe Epps

David Colantuano/Wicked Local image
Wicked Local Eastham says UMass is interested in Joe Epps, a RB from Bourne, MA.

Story here.

Epps had 1,320 yards and 16 TD's in 2011.

Also drawing interest from UConn and Boston College.

Tuesday--November 29, 2011

Matty V. reports on UMass' interaction with the Black Coaches and Administrators Association. He also says the consultative committee could be announced today.

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Jeff Thomas says it won't be Mike Leach. He'd like for UMass to take a look at Ben Albert who is a position coach at Temple after spending a year in the NFL.

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Either a 43 or 28 year streak is going to be broken when Northern Illinois and Ohio meet for the MAC Championship Friday.

The MAC will have six bowl eligible teams this year.

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The highest paid coaches in college football.

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The CAA website has video on JMU and Old Dominion's wins on Saturday.

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Seventy-three year old former NFL QB Joe Kapp and seventy-four former DT Angela Mosca get in a fight on stage.

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Monday, November 28, 2011

Monday--November 28, 2011

McKenzie #42, Williams #9/ Andy Clark/REUTERS IMAGE/ Not from Gray Cup
Keron Williams and Anton McKenzie won rings as the BC Lions won the 99th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

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Dennis Erickson, Ron Zook and Turner Gil were all fired yesterday.

In the MAC, the Akron Zips fired Ron Ianello.

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Attendance figures from the MAC talk board:

#81 Temple 28,060
#89 Toledo 22,157
#95 WMU 19,985
#96 Ohio U 19,891
#108 Miami U 16,174
#109 Buffalo 15,890
#110 Akron 15,734
#114 CMU 15,291
#115 NIU 15,209
#116 Ball State 15,064
#117 BGSU 15,007
###  UMass 12,817 (counting the Colonial Classic as a home game)
#119 Kent State 11,587
#120 EMU 4,267

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It's Huskies Vs Bobcats for the MAC title Friday night on ESPN2.

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Whoa! Keepers College Football Ratings has all five CAA teams as underdogs in this week's FCS playoff games.

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Now that the Thanksgiving Holiday week is over, we should get some news on the committee UMass is forming to find a new head coach.

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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Sunday--November 27, 2011

Mark Blaudschun of the Boston Globe says Bill McGovern would be an excellent fit at UMass.

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A blog reader suggested Texas A&M offensive line coach Jim Turner. He's from Braintree, MA and has extensive Northeast coaching experience.

Video feature on Coach Turner.

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A lot of people expected BC's Frank Spaziani to be fired after a 4-8 season. Apparently not.

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Both James Madison and ODU won their respective opening playoff games against EKU and Norfolk State.

James Madison story here. The FCS playoffs are great, but the economics of FCS football are tough. From the JMU-EKU box score: Date: Nov 26, 2011 • Site: Richmond, Ky.  • Stadium: Roy Kidd Stadium  •  Attendance: 2388 

ODU's Taylor Heinicke, who got his start against UMass, threw five TD's against Norfolk State.

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The San Francisco Chronicle picks Victor Cruz as one of the top six NFL TD dancers.

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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Saturday--November 26, 2011

Jason Miller/Getty Image
Matty V. reports Mark Whipple stated he hasn't been in contact with anyone at UMass about the Minutemen head coaching position.

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Paul Johnson, HC of the Georgia Tech yellow jackets, still remembers his 1998 loss to UMass.

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CAA's Game Day Central for today's playoff games.

EKU is confident that they can stop the OVC's eleven game playoff losing streak. James Madison looked to me like a pretty solid team now that they have their QB back. The Dukes could be a dark horse in the Championship run.

UNH is preparing for their seventh opening road trip in eight playoffs.

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Akron Zips fans have started a "We want Jim Tressel for HC" facebook page.

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I watched the Minutemen BB team pressure the Utes last night.

Vaguely related basketball item:

You remember the lingerie football league? Coming soon: a topless basketball league. Puts a new spin on shirts and skins.

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Friday, November 25, 2011

Recruiting 2012--Shane Nastahowski

CT Post/ Bob Luckey image
The Greenwich Post says UMass is recruiting Shane Nastahowski, a 6-2 215 pd LB/RB from Greenwich, CT.

Article here.

Rivals two-start player.

MaxPreps page here.

Also being recruited by Akron, Temple, Rutgers, UConn and Maryland.

Friday--November 25, 2011

Matty V. says UMass could get creative on salary issues in order to land a coach.

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The Mike Leach system.

Smart Football looks at how five different starting QB's for Leach averaged 4,000 yards passing and 30 TD's a year.

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A 2010 article on Neal Brown's wild ride to Texas Tech.

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TSN looks at the four FCS playoff games this weekend and predicts the CAA will win two of them.

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The MAC Week #13 Preview.

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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thankgiving --2011



 Mrs Blog and I would like to wish the whole UMass family a "Happy Thanksgiving"!!
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Mike Leach calls the UMass HC job "exciting".

The Pirate's biggest regret was not cutting Adam James.

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Another possible candidate for the UMass job could be Boston College's Bill McGovern. He coached at UMass 1987-90 and 1992-93.

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James Ihedigbo lost a bet to Ross Ventrone when Villanova beat UMass.

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This article mentions Minnechaug's Demetrios Strange and says his dad played for UMass. Would that be Bruce Strange ILB (1984)?

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First Row Sports is listing video for  the UMass-Florida State BB game at 4:30 today. First Row's links usually worked during football season. Matty V.'s article on the game.

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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Wednesday--November 23, 2011

Matty V. has a story about Andrew Dees, who is the only football coach at UMass tight now.

I've linked to this story previously, but it has some background on Dees.

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Jeff Thomas has an article on eleven UMass players named to the CAA All-Conference Team. He also mentions what a commenter here said about Jonathan Grimes being named the CAA Special Teams Player-of-the-Year.

Thomas also has an article about UMass searching for leadership in its head coach quest.

He mentions two more names as possible candidates for the UMass job:

George Barlow--current New Mexico DC and interim HC. Bonus material on Barlow.

Michael Haywood-- former Miami of Ohio coach. He's a former MAC Coach-of-the-Year. More material on Haywood.

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Richmond is also searching for a HC.

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I got to watch UMass dismantle Boston College on ESPN3. Matty notes former UMass star Shannon James was in the house.

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Craig Haley looks at the FCS playoff numbers.

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Tuesday -- November 22, 2011

Matty V. said the writing was on the wall for some time about Coach Morris.

He also says there are plenty of viable candidates for the position of UMass Head Coach.

Matty's candidates:

Mark Whipple- Current QB coach for the Browns.

Don Brown- Current defensive coordinator for UConn.

Neal Brown- Current offensive coordinator for Texas Tech. Bonus material on Neal Brown.

Mike Leach-- Out of football since 2009.

Calvin Magee--Offensive coordinator for Pitt.

Lincoln Riley--Offensive coordinator and RB coach at ECU

Mark D'Onofrio--Assistant HC and defensive coordinator at the University of Miami.

Sean McDonnell- Head Coach New Hampshire.

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The Boston Globe says Morris out at UMass.

The Boston Herald said UMass is moving up without  Kevin Morris.

Yahoo Sports says it's a fresh start for the Minutemen.

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UMass placed eleven players on the CAA All-Conference squad.

First team: Emil Igwenagu, Julian Talley, Jesse Julmiste and Tyler Homes.

Second Team: None.

Third Team: Jonathan Hernandez (third team?), Rob Blanchflower, Stephane Milhim, Josh Samuda, Nick Speller, Kevin Byrne and Perry McIntyre.

Blanchflower, Milhim, Speller, Byrne and McIntyre are underclassmen.

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Keepers College football rankings has UMass finishing the regular season ranked #60.

In the first round of the FCS playoffs he has both JMU and Old Dominion as favorites.

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Monday, November 21, 2011

UMass changes coaching staff.

Coach Morris and the rest of the UMass football staff have been fired.

Matty V, has the story.

Jeff Thomas of Masslive also covers the story.

The UMass Daily Collegian also has an article on the firing.

There are more story links out there, but the three above have the most detail.

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I've tried not to use the blog to advance any personal agenda. However, in this case, I believe McCutcheon did the right thing for the program. UMass has bet the farm on the move to FBS and I believe we need a coach with FBS experience to make the move.

With a reported number of scholarships above the FCS 63 level, UMass was not one of the top teams in the CAA. As McCutcheon's statement indicated, there was no detectable momentum towards a 2012 schedule that included four BCS league teams and a full MAC schedule.

I am sorry for the staff that was let go and hope people remember the work they put in. Football is a hard game.

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It will be interesting to see who will be considered for the position. Stay tuned.

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Recruiting 2013---Matt Walsh

Mintuemen News/Eric Montgomery image
This article says UMass has contacted Matt Walsh, a 6-1 220 pound junior RB/LB from Daniel Hand HS in CT.

Some highlights here.

Also receiving interest from Georgia Tech, BC, Duke and UConn.

Monday -- November 21, 2011

Matty Vautour talks about leaving McGuirk for a couple of years and its future. It will be interesting to see how soon the upgrades start. Matty mentions one of the prosaic needs of the stadium--more bathrooms. I get e-mails from visiting fans complaining that they can't find any restrooms except for porta-potties.

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Jeff Thomas says its decision time about Coach Morris.

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The Boston Herald says: next up FBS.

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James Madison goes into the playoffs with momentum.

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Pats Sterling Moore originally committed to UMass, but jumped to SMU when offered a FBS scholarship. I talked with coach Jimmie Reid one day and he said UMass would typically lose two or three recruits right before letter-of-intent day as they jumped for FBS scholarships.

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Two articles from TSN on the playoff selections and brackets here and here.

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The MAC blog "Hustle Belt" has a big day for Buffalo and notes Army went 0-4 against MAC opponents this year.

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Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sunday--November 20, 2011

Another year for my program collection
Well, it was a melancholy end to my 35 consecutive years of season tickets at McGuirk. Hopefully I'll walk back into a renovated stadium in 2014, with a new practice/weight facility and a new press box and watch a FBS/I-A football game.

JMU came into the game leading the CAA in rushing offense and rushing defense. They did just that against the Minutemen. UMass gave up 386 yards rushing and was held to 68 yards (2.7 yards/carry).

Kellen Pagel returned as starting QB and had a poor game. UMass had six first downs in the first half. Pagel threw into coverage all day. One INT was probably not his fault as the DB took a pass away from Gilson, but Pagel narrowly missed INT's on at least three other occasions. It never felt like UMass was going to score enough points to catch the Dukes.

Perry McIntyre, Darren Thellen and Tyler Holmes combined for 45 tackles, but the Dukes made big yardage all day on the outside. The one-play 76 yard TD run in the third quarter more or less finished the game.

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Matty V. said UMass ended FCS play with a loss.

He also said no announcement on Coach Morris before Monday at the earliest.

The Boston Globe said UMass bid farewell to FCS. They also had UMass losing the final game in FCS.

The Boston Herald said UMass misfires.

The Washington Post reports Dae'Quan Scott set the Dukes single-game rushing record.

The Worcester Telegram said UMass left FCS and Amherst on a down note.

MassLive stated UMass was overrun by the Dukes.

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Improbable as it sounds, Towson won the CAA Championship.

It was a bad day for the Maine Black Bears, as they lost the Bryce-Cowell musket, the CAA Championship and probably their first ever home playoff game.

Maine Campus article here.

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UPDATE: The 2011 FCS Playoffs Selection Show airs at 10 a.m. ET Sunday on ESPNU.

UPDATE II: Fordham fires current HC (and former UMass assistant coach) Tom Messela.

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2011 FCS playoff brackets
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Saturday, November 19, 2011

Game Day--JMU November 19, 2011

Matty V. reports UMass plays its season finale today.

Matty also has UMass' Top-10 A10/CAA games.

SBNation has UMass hosts the Dukes on Senior Day.

Jeff Thomas has the Minutemen wrap up the season and FCS today.

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The Gazette looks at the possible impact of the Minutemen's move to Gillette on local businesses. The proposed renovations to McGuirk could allow it's use for more high school game as well a college lacrosse and other sports.

Again this is one of the is the glass half full or half empty questions. There is the potential for UMass to play FBS games on campus in the future. Surely, those will be better attended and generate more business than the current situation. Also, if UMass should have to drop to the Northeast Conference like URI,  business would be bad. The NEC was last in the FCS nation in football attendance. Playing Sacred Heart in front of 1,200 fans won't sell many hotel rooms.

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The UMass women's BB team gets to play a MAC team. Men's basketball will play two MAC games a year as part of the Minutemen's MAC football deal.

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The CAA has details of all of today's league games on their Game Day Page.

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The following is a cut-and-past from Matty Vautour's article:

UMass will honor its graduating players as part of senior day prior to the game. Gary Correia (Matty missed that one),James Gilchrist, Tom Gilson, Jonathan Hernandez, Tyler Holmes, Emil Igwenagu, Courtney Jackson, Jesse Julmiste, Manny Nascimento (listed as a sophomore), Sean O'Connor (listed as a junior), Brian Ostaszewski, Dominique Price, Julian Talley, Travis Tripucka, Josh Samuda, Shane Viveiros, and Brandon Yelovich will all play in their final collegiate game.

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The weather in Amherst is supposed to be fine: high in middle 50's and mostly sunny. Let's all turn out for Senior Day and support the team.

Beat the Dukes and leave FCS with a good feeling! Go UMass !!!!!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Friday --November 19, 2011

James Madison's game notes for UMass here (html).

No game notes for UMass up yet )??!

UPDATE: UMass game notes are now up.

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Click for a larger view

Julian Tally's stats for the year:

Julian Talley      10-10      54      702      13.0      4      51      70.2

The current single season receptions records show Talley could move up several notches with a good game Saturday.

6. 62 Tim Berra (1973)
7. 61 Anthony Nelson (2010)
8. 60 Brandon London (2005)
9. 59 Victor Cruz (2009)
10. 56 Julian Talley (2020)

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Jesse Julmiste's kick return stats for 2011:

Jesse Julmiste      27      725      26.9      2      100

The single season kick return yardage.

1. 805 Tim Berra (1973) --Julmiste needs 80 yards to break the record.

Total kick returns:

1. 32 Tim Berra (1973)
2. 31 Adrian Zullo (1998)

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Tyler Holmes 2011 stats:

Tyler Holmes      10-10      66      38      104 TT

Single season TT records:

6. 115.0 Jeremy Cain (2002)
7. 113.5 Brian Smith (1998)
8. 113.0 John McKeown (1988)
9. 111.5 Mark Kimener (2003)
10. 108.0 John McKeown (1985)

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Matty V. says there will be many endings this Saturday at McGuirk.

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True freshman DeAndre Smith (good name) is making a contribution for the Dukes this year.

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North Andover's Brandon Walsh will attend UMass on a baseball scholarship.

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UNH and Maine play for the Bryce-Cowell Musket and a lot more this Saturday at Cowell stadium.

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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Recruiting 2012 -- Jacob Guy III

TampaBay.com image/photographer unknown
I've blogged about Jacob Guy twice before.

This article features him.

Guy's 2011 season:

101-of-148; 68.2 percent; 1,834 yards; 33 TDs; 4 INTs; 10-0 record

Guy holds offers from UMass, Ohio and Western Michigan.

Thursday--November 17, 2011

Matty V. says it's down to one game for Tyler Holmes.

Matty has more on the shooting that occurred at a club Victor Cruz and four other Giants were celebrating his birthday.

Week #12 Matty V vs Matty G.

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The JMU student newspaper said it's a make or break week for the Dukes.

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Maine DE Mike Cole won this week's Gold Helmet Award for his performance against the Minutemen last Saturday.

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ODU's Taylor Heinicke who smoked UMass after he came in for injured Monarch QB Thomas DeMarco, is in the running for the CAA's Freshman-of-the-Year.

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TSN has an article on the FCS Playoff Selection Committee's difficult choices.

They also have the Week #12 preview. They predict a JMU win over UMass.

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Newsday says Cruz learned his lesson.

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Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Jeff Thomas says Saturday's game is the final one in many respects.

The UMass Daily Collegian has an article on UMass' last CAA game.

The Collegian also notes the Minutemen's last game as a member of FCS.

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James Madison RSFR Anthony McDaniel and the Dukes are looking for a playoff spot Saturday.

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Both Delaware and JMU are looking for a playoff bid if they win this week.

Delaware's potential 7-4 record contains a win over DII West Chester. That's not stopping K.C. Keeler, however.

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Maine LB Troy Russell was named CAA Defensive Player-of-the-Week for his game against UMass.

The CAA Champion will be decided this week. The CAA website has the tie-breaker scenarios.

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Victor Cruz and some friends were at a nightclub celebrating his 25th birthday and a shooting broke out leaving one man dead and two wounded. Cruz and his party were not involved.

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Recruiting 2012--Cameron McCurry

Under Armour combine image.
Rivals.com has UMass interested in Cameron McCurry, a 6-0 215 pound OLB from Flemming Island, FL.

Curry's Rivals page here.

Curry talks recruiting prior to the 2011 season.

2010 highlight video here.

Combine stats here.

McCurry has offers from Harvard, Jacksonville, Penn and Wofford. Interest from 21 other teams.

Tuesday--November 15, 2011

Roanoke Times image
Matty V. has a story on Jimmy Reid, still, in my opinion, one of the finest men ever to breath air. Reid's Virginia bio here.

Article on Reid by the Roanoke Times here.

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Keepers College Football rankings has UMass at #52.

He also has JMU (ranked #26 ) over UMass by 4+

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UMass does not receive any votes in the latest FCS Coaches Poll.

The Minutemen were dead last, receiving 1 vote, in the TSN poll. JMU is ranked #19.

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Maine has put in bids for first and second round games in the FCS playoffs.

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Looks like the strength of the MAC is in the West Division this year.

Temple still thinks they have a shot at a bowl game.

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I miss college.

Sacramento State professor walks out when his students didn't bring him any snacks.

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Monday, November 14, 2011

Monday--November 14, 2011

Matty V has an article on various milestones passed by UMass players in the Maine game. Jonathan Hernandez passed a 1,000 yards for the season. Julian Talley passed Victor Cruz and Brandon London (two pretty good receivers) to take 4th place in career yardage.

The Maine Campus said the Black Bears likely secured a playoff birth with the win over UMass.

The UMass Daily Collegian has a story on the loss to Maine.

Jeff Thomas has an article on Ray Pendagast's cold start against the Black Bears.

Coach Morris praised Pendagast in this mention in the Herald

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The Daily Press has a CAA recap from Saturday's games. They mention JMU must win at UMass to have a hope of making the playoffs.

The Pilot OnLine also mentions JMU vs UMass and also states UNH could be in trouble if they lose to Maine next week.

Justin Thorpe returned to the Dukes after a five game suspension and keyed the win over Rhode Island.

Nice human interest story about JMU assistant coach Clayton Matthews who was paralyzed from the waist down in an automobile accident.

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TSN has two articles on the status of various teams playoff hopes here and here.

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Victor Cruz went 6-84 in the Giants loss to the 49ers.

James Ihedigbo started for the Patriots against the Jets.

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Sunday, November 13, 2011

Sunday--November 13, 2011

The Maine game was the first I listened to on the radio feed. Josh Maurer and Matt Goldstein do a fine job with the audio call. You can hear why they keep winning AP awards.

The UMass team appeared to play with fire and determination.  That's all I ask. The defense only gave up 18 points.

The loss was the same old story in 2011. I was mentally writing Ray Pendagast's Gold Helmet Award speech at halftime. However, his glass slipper cracked in the second half. He had two fumbles for touchdowns (we must lead the football universe in that category) and a INT.

In addition, we missed two makeable field goals to dig our last-in-the-CAA average deeper.

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Matty V. said second half turnovers doomed UMass.

UMass athletic dept write-up here. University of Maine writeup here.

The Boston Herald said Maine recovered to upend UMass.

The Worcester Telegram said UMass could not hold the ball or the lead.

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UNH lost to Towson to drop the Wildcats into second place in the CAA.

All the CAA results here .

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Saturday, November 12, 2011

Game Day--Maine November 12, 2011

UPDATE: WRNX folded last week.  The UMass feed will now be on KIX Country.

UPDATE II: The UMass pre-game show is reporting that both UMass QB's Kellen Pagel and Brandon Hill are out of today's game. UMass emergency QB Ray Pendagast will start.

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UMass adds Florida to its 2016 schedule. Lots of UMass alums in Florida. Playing the Gators in Gainsville will be an experience!

The Palm Beach Post has the original announcement.

The Swamp
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Jeff Thomas reports on UMass' last road trip as an FCS team.

The Kennebec Journal says the Minutemen are making their last trip to Orono.

The Sun-Journal says the Black Bears are happy to have an opportunity to put the loss to Towson behind them.

Maine has put in a bid for their first ever home playoff game.

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All the CAA league game details on the CAA's Game Day post.

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All Right. Let's blow the stink off last week's performance and put a significant dent in the Black Bear's playoff hopes!

Go UMass!!!


Friday, November 11, 2011

Friday--November 11, 2011

UMass has its game notes (.pdf) up. So does Maine: html here and pdf here.

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Matty V. talks about the Minutemen's last long ride to Maine.

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Maine had a pep rally for the Black Bears.

The Portland Press-Herald has a story on Maine's backup QB Chris Treister.

Another article on Treister here.

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Taurus Londono, a UMass alum who writes for Yahoo Sports, says UMass football is set to become a sideshow.

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This Worcester Telegram article mentions Brandon Potvin.

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The Penn State scandal may impact Massachusetts law.

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CNBC's SportsBiz has an article on UMass' excellent Sports Management Program.

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Thursday, November 10, 2011

Recruiting 2012--Isiah Ferguson

Ferguson #10/Journal-News/Mark Vergari image
Rivals.com report UMass has offered to Isiah Ferguson, a 6-5 205 pound WR from Asa College (JUCO) in Brooklyn, NY.

Ferguson's Rivals page here.

He was recently the Conference Offensive Player-of-Week.

Mt Vernon 2010 highlight video here.

Ferguson also holds an offer from Bowling Green.

November 10, 2011

Matty V. vs Matty G. for week #11.

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The Maine Campus says the Black Bears are looking to stay in first place.

Maine senior safety Jerron McMillian is a force for the Black Bears.

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Jeff Thomas says the MAC is making mid-week games work.

Ohio.com says the MAC has been having exciting games and near-capacity crowds.

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The Daily Press says the CAA is having an off year.

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TSN has their Week #11 preview and predicts a Maine win over UMass.

Craig Haley asks "Does the NCAA math add up?"

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Wednesday, November 09, 2011

Recruiting 2012--Cody Berry

Glendale News-Press/Cheryl Guerrero image
Rivals.com reports UMass has offered to Cody Berry, a 6-1 220 pd Safety from Woodlawn Hills, CA. He will visit UMass on 12/05/11.

Pierce is a JUCO from Pierce College.

Rivals page here.

Hudl page here.

YouTube highlight video here.

Besides UMass, Berry has offers from Florida International and Texas San-Antonio. Bowling Green, New Mexico State and Syracuse are showing interest.

Wednesday---November 9, 2011

Jeff Thomas says UMass QB Kellen Pagel returned to practice. Thomas notes the improvement of the UMass defense since the return of Shane Vivieros. Defensive back Ed Saint-Vil also returned the same time as Vivieros.

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Patriots.com previews the Pats-Jets game Sunday and mentions UMass ties with Vladimir Ducasse and James Ihedigbo.

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The UMass Daily Collegian reports on the three-way tie for the lead in the CAA.

Speaking of the CAA, the League's weekly press release is here.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch has notes on the CAA.

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The NY Post had a Q &A session with Victor Cruz.

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Missed this story back on October 18th: Brandon London hosts art show.

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Craig Haley of TSN looks at FCS teams on the cusp of the playoffs.

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Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Tuesday---November 8, 2011

Matty V. says the Villanova loss puts Coach Morris' job security on the line.

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Jeff Thomas says UMass' last two opponents in 2011 are chasing playoff aspirations.

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The Morning Call said Villanova QB Chris Polony grew up fast at UMass.

Wildcat DB James Pitts was CAA Defensive Player-of-the-Week.

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Maine dropped to #13 in the latest TSN poll.

The Black Bears are also #13 in the FCS Coaches Poll.

The Bangor Daily News state Maine is keeping their resolve.

Maine gave up over 300 yards rushing against Towson.

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The Minutemen are #39 according to Keepers College Football ratings.

Keeper has the Black Bears by 8+ over UMass in Orono.

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Jeromy Miles was one of the Bengals game Captains Sunday.

Miles has been nominated to the Pro Bowl as a special teams player.

Bengals image

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Victor Cruz is becoming a key player for the Giants.

Jason Smith (good name) of NFL.com says Cruz is a star.

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Monday, November 07, 2011

Monday---November 7, 2011

Matty V. has three stars from the Villanova game. RSFR Matt Cambell makes the list.

He reports that Marcel Shipp and Steve Baylark are roommates in Arizona.

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Jesse Julmiste watch:

Julmiste has 27-725 yards and 26.9 AVE so far in 2011. He needs 80 yards to surpass Tim Berra's 805 yard single season UMass record (1973). His current 2011 season average of 26.9 is second only to Dennis Dent's 28.31 yards/return (1978). He is #3 in career kick return 24.268 yards per kick. The leader is Steve Parnell 24.47 (1968-69). His career total average of 995 yards 7th behind Kevin Quinlan 1064 (1998-01).

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Jeff Thomas says UMass picked a tough time to have its worse performance of the season.

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The Patriots-Giants game yesterday afternoon was a cracking good game, with excellent defense and two late scoring drives. The game had a Super Bowl feel to it.

Victor Cruz was, of course,  in the middle of it. The Boston Globe said homecoming was happy for Cruz.  Fox News Latino says Cruz dances to a salsa beat. The NY Times said Cruz mixes cultures and TD's. The Boston Globe says he's on Cruz Control.

Cruz had a nice block on a Giants TD run and drew a critical pass interference penalty on the Giants winning drive.

NY Daily News/ Andrew Theodorakis image

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Maine's loss to Towson knocked the Black Bears into a three-way tie with Towson and UNH for the lead in the CAA. They hope to rebound against UMass next week.

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Sunday, November 06, 2011

Sunday--November 6, 2011

As everyone knows I bleed Maroon & White, so I'm not going to comment on yesterday's game.

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Gazette image/photographer unknown

Marcel Shipp and Steve Baylark were in the house.

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Matty V. said Villanova spoiled UMass' homecoming .

The Boston Globe said UMass was at a loss.

The Boston Herald said Mass-ive mistakes.

The Worcester said turnovers hurt UMass.

Jeff Thomas said UMass gave it away.

The Delaware County Daily-Times said Abdur-Rahman stepped it up for the Wildcats.

Philly Sports Daily reports Villanova upset UMass.

The Villanova Athletic Dept website said Pitts and James spark the Wildcats to a win.

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All the CAA scores here. Towson beat Maine and Rhode Island upset William & Mary.

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Giant's Hakeem Nicks is out of today's game with the Patriots. Victor Cruz will likely start for him.

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Saturday, November 05, 2011

Game Day Villanova

Matty V. says UMass and Villanova are looking for one more unforgettable game.

Jeff Thomas says UMass hosts a struggling Villanova team.

Philly.com has some notes on the Minutemen-Wildcat game.

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For those UMass fans that don't get TSN/CSN-NE cable, First Row Sports offers streaming video of the game. The link has worked the last two times I tried it.

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More UMass homecoming information from the UMass Alumni Association.

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Today is National College Football Day.

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WEEI interviews Victor Cruz.

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All of today's league game information here at the CAA Game Day blog.

If ODU beats Richmond today, it could mean a playoff birth for the Monarchs.

The top CAA game this week will be Towson at Maine. Who would have expected it before the season began? Stuff like this is why college football is fascinating.

UNH controls their own destiny in searching for the playoffs.

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Hope to see everyone at the game. The UMass defense went on a tear last week and I'd like to see that continue.

Let's blitz the crap out of the Wildcats and get another win.

Go UMass!!!!